Item 01
The professor talked the French economy.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “The professor talked about the French economy.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Grammar Concepts #07
Understanding the Use of “About” with Verbs
This rebuilt lesson keeps the original concept image, tightens the structure, and turns the explanation into a clearer self-study guide.
Core Idea
In English, some verbs naturally imply short, simple actions. When we want to extend these actions or add more detail, we often use the word “about”. This small word helps indicate that the action was more involved or lasted longer. Let’s break down this concept with detailed explanations and examples.
Key Points
Concept #07: Let’s Talk About ‘About’
Short vs. Long Actions with Verbs
Certain verbs suggest brief actions, such as talk, walk, and think. To show that these actions were more extended or detailed, we add “about” after the verb.
- Talk Short Action: The baby talked! He said “Mama”! This sentence indicates a brief, specific action (saying “Mama”). Long Action: The professor talked about the French economy. This sentence implies the professor discussed the French economy in detail.
- Walk Short Action: The baby walked! She took two steps! This sentence suggests a short, simple action (taking two steps). Long Action: I walked about Tokyo and enjoyed the many sights. This sentence implies a more extended activity, exploring Tokyo.
- Think Short Action: I think Tom is 30. That must be his age. This sentence indicates a brief moment of thought or assumption. Long Action: I’m thinking about buying a house. It is so complicated! This sentence suggests a more prolonged process of considering or planning.
Verbs That Do Not Use “About”
However, not all verbs need “about” to indicate a longer action. Some verbs already imply that the action takes time or involves detail. For these verbs, adding “about” is unnecessary and incorrect. Here are some examples:
- Discuss Incorrect: We were discussing about it. Correct: We were discussing it. Discuss already implies a detailed conversation.
- Consider Incorrect: She is considering about the proposal. Correct: She is considering the proposal. Consider means to think carefully, so “about” is not needed.
- Explain Incorrect: He explained about the problem. Correct: He explained the problem. Explain involves giving detailed information.
- Report Incorrect: They reported about the incident. Correct: They reported the incident. Report means to give a detailed account.
- Describe Incorrect: She described about the scene. Correct: She described the scene. Describe means to give a detailed picture in words.
- Ponder Incorrect: He is pondering about the situation. Correct: He is pondering the situation. Ponder means to think deeply, so “about” is redundant.
- Criticize Incorrect: They criticized about the new policy. Correct: They criticized the new policy. Criticize means to give a detailed analysis of faults.
- Announce Incorrect: She announced about the event. Correct: She announced the event. Announce means to make a public statement.
Additional Examples
Let’s see more examples for better understanding:
- Imagine Incorrect: He imagined about a world without war. Correct: He imagined a world without war. Imagine means to create a picture in the mind.
- Decide Incorrect: They decided about their next move. Correct: They decided their next move. Decide means to come to a conclusion.
- Realize Incorrect: She realized about her mistake. Correct: She realized her mistake. Realize means to become aware.
- Notice Incorrect: He noticed about the change. Correct: He noticed the change. Notice means to become aware through the senses.
By understanding which verbs require “about” and which do not, you can make your English more precise and natural. Remember, adding “about” often helps clarify that an action is more detailed or extended, but with certain verbs, it’s already implied and unnecessary.
Keep practicing with different verbs to get comfortable with these nuances!
Practice Check
Answer the quiz questions below. Either choose the correct meaning of the sentence or indicate whether the sentence is correct or incorrect.
Item 02
I walked about Tokyo and enjoyed the many sights.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- I explored Tokyo and saw many things. A. I walked briefly in Tokyo. B. I explored Tokyo and saw many things. C. I didn’t see much in Tokyo.
Item 03
I’m thinking about buying a house.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- I am considering the idea of buying a house. A. I am buying a house right now. B. I am considering the idea of buying a house. C. I am not interested in buying a house.
Item 04
We were discussing about it.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “We were discussing it.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 05
She is considering the proposal.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- She is thinking carefully about the proposal. A. She accepted the proposal. B. She is thinking carefully about the proposal. C. She rejected the proposal.
Item 06
He explained about the problem.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “He explained the problem.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 07
They reported the incident.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- They gave a detailed account of the incident. A. They kept the incident a secret. B. They gave a detailed account of the incident. C. They ignored the incident.
Item 08
She described about the scene.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “She described the scene.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 09
He is pondering the situation.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- He is thinking deeply about the situation. A. He is ignoring the situation. B. He is thinking deeply about the situation. C. He briefly considered the situation.
Item 10
They criticized the new policy.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- They gave a detailed analysis of the faults in the new policy. A. They praised the new policy. B. They gave a detailed analysis of the faults in the new policy. C. They ignored the new policy.
Item 11
She announced the event.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- She made a public statement about the event. A. She ignored the event. B. She kept the event a secret. C. She made a public statement about the event.
Item 12
He imagined about a world without war.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “He imagined a world without war.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 13
They decided their next move.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- They came to a conclusion about their next move. A. They ignored their next move. B. They came to a conclusion about their next move. C. They were unsure about their next move.
Item 14
She realized her mistake.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- She became aware of her mistake. A. She ignored her mistake. B. She became aware of her mistake. C. She repeated her mistake.
Item 15
He noticed the change.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- He became aware of the change through his senses. A. He ignored the change. B. He was unaware of the change. C. He became aware of the change through his senses.
Item 16
He is discussing about his project with the team.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “He is discussing his project with the team.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 17
She is considering a new job opportunity.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- She is thinking carefully about the new job opportunity. A. She rejected the new job opportunity. B. She ignored the new job opportunity. C. She is thinking carefully about the new job opportunity.
Item 18
He explained the solution to the problem.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- He gave detailed information about the solution to the problem. A. He ignored the solution to the problem. B. He gave detailed information about the solution to the problem. C. He briefly mentioned the solution to the problem.
Item 19
They reported the results of the experiment.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- They gave a detailed account of the results of the experiment. A. They ignored the results of the experiment. B. They gave a detailed account of the results of the experiment. C. They briefly mentioned the results of the experiment.
Item 20
She described about the events of the day.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “She described the events of the day.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 21
He pondered his decision for a long time.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- He thought deeply about his decision for a long time. A. He ignored his decision. B. He thought deeply about his decision for a long time. C. He briefly considered his decision.
Item 22
They criticized the movie harshly.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- They gave a detailed analysis of the faults in the movie. A. They praised the movie. B. They gave a detailed analysis of the faults in the movie. C. They ignored the movie.
Item 23
She announced about the winner of the contest.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- The correct sentence is “She announced the winner of the contest.” A. Correct B. Incorrect
Item 24
He imagined a future full of possibilities.
Reveal answer
Correct answer
- He created a picture in his mind of a future full of possibilities. A. He created a picture in his mind of a future full of possibilities. B. He ignored the future full of possibilities. C. He didn’t think about a future full of possibilities.